Beloved Community Spotlight

Russ Charbonnet (on the left wearing the hat) and his husband, Stewart Venable, have been together for 30 years. They first crossed paths at a friend’s house on LSU Avenue—though Stewart was supposed to be meeting someone else that night! Instead, the two hit it off immediately, and the rest is history. In 2016, they celebrated their love with a sunset wedding on their favorite stretch of beach in Key West.

Russ and Stewart share their Baton Rouge home with Theo, a nine-year-old cat they adopted from a neighbor three years ago.

Russ has lived in Baton Rouge since 1993, after three years in Monroe. His early years were somewhat nomadic. Born in Canada, he grew up in six different states as his father’s Air Force career kept the family on the move.

Russ is retired, following a career as a technical specialist in the claims department at LWCC.  Stewart, a longtime Baton Rouge resident, retired in June of this year after 33 years as an operator at Syngenta.

The couple found their way to St. Margaret’s during the pandemic, making the switch from Trinity Episcopal when churches reopened at limited capacity in 2021. Their plan was to eventually return, but they quickly felt at home at St. Margaret’s and never looked back.

 “There is so much love in this congregation,” Russ says. “The people are amazing, and we’ve made such good friends with so many…” He especially treasures the church’s welcoming ministries, supportive small groups, and the peace of the meditation garden.

Russ’s faith has been deeply strengthened during his time at St. Margaret’s. He says the support and love he’s felt from the church community, especially over the last six months, has been “invaluable” and something that’s helped him through a very difficult time.

In their free time, Russ and Stewart are avid LSU sports fans, holding season tickets for football, baseball, and women’s basketball. They’re regulars on an area pickleball court several times a week. Stewart also loves gardening and landscaping, while Russ enjoys making people laugh.

If you ask how he’d like to be remembered, Russ says simply, “As a good friend, spouse, son, brother, and uncle.”

If you see Russ or Stewart at church, ask for the latest with LSU sports, or perhaps some tips about moving or pickleball. Don’t hesitate to say hello. You’ll likely find a warm welcome and most likely even a good laugh waiting for you.